Patterning mechanism for knitting machines



Nov. 14, 1939.

' T. c. BROMLEY ET AL ,1 9.71

PATTERNING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 z 5' Fzg. I.

W n {HF Nov 14. 9 9-- 'r. c. BROMLEY ET AL 2-179-711 PATTERNING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J/QMV (M M MAW/MM;

Nov. 14, 1939. T. c. BROMLEY ET AL 2.179.711

PATTERNING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheetfi Fig. 3;

Patented Nov. 14, 19

PATTERNING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Thomas Charles Bromley and Arthur Shortland,

Leicester, England, assignors to Mellor Bromley & Co. Limited, Leicester, England, a British company Application August 22, 1938, Serial No. 226,192 In Great Britain August 26, 1937 19 Claims.

This invention relates to patterning mechanism for knitting machines, and has reference to mechanism of the kind wherein there is selective action upon stitch forming or other individually movable elements, such as sinkers, holding down sinkers or web holders, pressers and the like, of a knitting machine to be controlled for producing pattern effects in knitted fabric.

The present invention comprises an improvement the object of which is to enable pattern areas of any desired width and depth to be obtained and in which the width may vary from one Wale to the total number of wales in the fabric or to any desired lesser number.

The invention in fact involves a new or improved principle of patterning, as will be hereinafter set forth, and applicable mainly to circular knitting machines having slidable needles, latch or bearded, but it may be applied to fiat or straight bar independent needle machines.

The invention is also intended for application principally to circular knitting machines of the rotary needle cylinder type but it may be applied to machines of the stationary cylinder type including in either event those adapted to operate at times with rotary reciprocatory motion, as for example in making heels and toes in the production of seamless hosiery, and rib knitting machines (cylinder and dial and double axially opposed cylinder type) as well as to plain machines.

The patterning mechanism with which the present invention is more particularly concerned is of the type comprising a controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations, such as one or more circumferential rows of teeth or pins, pegs, cam bits, metal strips or blade-like instrumentalities, or holes thereon or therein, such controlling unit consisting, for example, of a wheel, drum, chain or equivalent for action selectively upon a bank of selector plates, levers or cams which in turn act selectively upon needles or needle operating jacks or sliders or other elements, or upon intermediate elements such as bits, jacks, pressers or the like, in a rotary selecting device, such elements being hereinafter referred to generic-ally as selectively operated elements, and the mechanism as a whole being for brevity referred to as patterning mechanism of the type described.

A particular illustrative embodiment of the invention as applied to a circular kniting machine of the revolving cylinder type furnished with needle operating jacks, such for instance as is exemplified in prior U. S. Patent No. 1,889,631, will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in developed form of the outside of the cylinder of said machine, showing more particularly the grouping of the butts on the jacks.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the patterning mechanism.

Figure 2a. is a cross sectional view showing a detail of Fig. 2.

Figure 3 is a plan View of the same showing adjacent parts of the machine partly in section.

Figure 4 is a detail elevational view as seen in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 3, but with the pattern controlling unit removed.

Figure 5 is a developed view of a cam system which may conveniently be employed in conjunction with the patterning mechanism.

Like parts are designated by similar reference characters throughout the drawings.

. In the drawings the rotary cylinder of the machine is indicated at l and this is out with radial tricks or grooves 2 in which are arranged needles 3 each having associated with it a needle operating jack 4. The jacks are disposed beneath the needles and arranged respectively in the same tricks or grooves as the latter. As will be seen, predetermined numbers of the jacks, twenty four in the specific example illustrated, respectively with butts 5 at different levels, that is to say in different positions lengthwise thereon, are arranged consecutively in the cylinder I so that obliquely disposed series of butts are formed, parallel to each other in the manner shown in Figure 1, all around the cylinder. Each jack may initially be formed with a full complement of butts and such of these as are not required may be broken away, according to requirements. Thus the jack shown in Figure 2 has, for convenience, been represented with a full complement of butts, although it will be appreciated that to obtain the grouping illustrated in Figure 1 all of the butts with the exception of one on each jack are broken away in such a manner to provide the obliquely disposed series of butts aforesaid. As will be understood, therefore, a jack 4 is provided under every needle 3 but a jack with a butt at the highest elevation (see, for instance, the butt 5 in Figure 1) is followed by a jack with a butt 5 at the next highest elevation, and so on, with the butt level diminishing regularly until the last of the jacks required to form a group B of a prearranged number has been inserted, whereafter the arrangement is repeated, and so on, all around the cylinder. The number of jacks in each group is an aliquot part of the total number of jacks in the cylinder.

For selectively operating the jacks 4 there is provided a bank of horizontally arranged selector plates (or cams) containing as many plates 6 as there are jacks in a group B, or in other words, one plate for each butt level. The plates, which are of the shape shown more clearly in Figure 3 and of equal size, are formed with butt engaging noses or projections I so disposed that when the plates are assembled in the manner hereinafter to be described the said series of noses or projections is obliquely disposed to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups B of jack butts. Otherwise described the noses or projections 1 are arranged in ofiset or stepped relation. The plates 6 are stacked one above another and slidable towards and from the needle cylinder I in vertically disposed guides or supports 8 carried by a bracket 9 and having horizontal grooves out therein for reception of the plates. For the sake of clarity in the drawings only two of the plates 6 are shown, viz. the uppermost and the lowest plates of the bank. There are, of course, two guides il-one at each side of the bank of plates and at the level of each plate the guides are formed respectively with grooves ID for reception of the marginal edge portions of said plate at opposite sides of the latter (see Figure 4). At its lower end each of the guides 8 is formed with a laterally extending flange H by means of which it can be readily attached to the bracket 9, for example by means of screws or bolts such as l2. The said bracket is in turn bolted to a convenient fixed part, such as the top plate l3, of the ma-- chine and provision is preferably made whereby the bracket can be adjusted, according to requirements. Conveniently for this purpose the said bracket is attached to the top plate by means of bolts I t and I5 which are passed through slots or elongated holes 16 formed in the bracket. Referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that each of the plates 8 has formed on its outer edge a small radially extending projection ll adapted to be acted upon at the appropriate times by the pattern controlling unit in the manner hereinafter to be described. Moreover, each plate is formed with a centrally disposed hole or opening I8 and with a substantially V-shaped or other suitable projection H? which extends into the said hole or opening as shown in Figure 3. The selector plates are spring-controlled and in this connection the spring means are arranged so as normally to hold the plates in their outer positions clear of the butts 5. To this end a wire, blade or similar spring such as that indicated at 20 in Figure 3 is associated with each selector plate 6, one end of the spring bearing against a pin or peg 2| on the plate and the other end against a part of or on one of the guides 8. A strip or rectangular plate 22 is applied over the outer end of each guide and secured thereto, e. g. by means of screws 23, for the purpose of retaining the selector plates in position in the guides and incidentally limiting the outward movement of said plates. For the sake of clarity in Figure 4 the retaining strips or plates 22 have been omitted. The holes or openings i8 aforesaid are such as in effect to produce a cylindrical open-ended core which extends vertically right through the bank of selector plates. Within this core there is conveniently disposed a rotatable operating member 24 adapted for action on the plates 6 so as to effect movement thereof towards and away from the needle cylinder I in a continuous manner, the timing being such that the noses or projections l are projected into the spaces between the consecutive obliquely disposed series of jack butts 5 and moved clear of the butts each time such a series is passing the bank of plates. The selector plate operating member 24 is mainly of cylindrical form but has formed therein a series of longitudinally extending channels or grooves 25 circumferentially spaced around the member at equal distances apart. In the drawings four channels or grooves 25 are shown, although this number may be varied according to the grouping of the jacks in the cylinder 8. The member 24, moreover, is arranged to rotate about a vertical axis and is mounted so as to engage at its opposite ends with pointed pins 26 and 21, pintles or the equivalent which serve to support the member in position whilst at the same time permitting it to rotate. The upper pointed pin 26 is carried by and projects vertically downwards from a bridge piece 28 which extends transversely across the top of the guides 8 and is secured to the latter by means of screws 29. The pin 26 is adjustable in the bridge piece and is adapted to be secured in position by a nut 30. The lower pointed pin 2'! fits into and is thereby supported by an appropriate portion 35 of the bracket 9. Attached to or, as shown, formed integrally with the operating member 24 at the lower end thereof is a spur gear 32 adapted to mesh with a gear wheel 33 attached to the needle cylinder. The construction is therefore such that as the cylinder rotates the rotary operating member is continuously driven in time therewith and the bank of selector plates is moved towards and away from said cylinder in the manner herein described. These movements are obtained by reason of the fact that whenever a channel or groove 25 is presented to the V-shaped projections l9 the latter are permitted to move into the said channel or groove thereby enabling the plates 6 to move radially outwards under the spring action clear of the butts 5. On the other hand, whenever a concave or projecting portion 24 of the operating member is presented to the projections IS, the latter are in effect cammed inwards thereby moving the plates 6 inwardly against the spring action into a space between two obliquely disposed series of butts. The operating member 24 may be regarded as being formed with a plurality of nose-like projections suitably spaced apart with recesses between them.

It is to be understood that any suitable means other than those just described may, if desired, be employed for moving the selector plates in and out in the required manner.

The bank of plates projects inwardly towards the cylinder through a gap or opening 34 formed in the cam box 35 in which there is also conveniently formed a slot 35' through which extends the gear 32 to enable it to mesh with the gear wheel 33.

Moreover, instead of a bank of slidable selector plates there may be provided for the same purpose a bank of levers or cams. In the case of levers these may be of different lengths with butt engaging extremities so that when assembled on a common pivot the series of butt engaging extremities is obliquely disposed to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of jack butts. Alternatively the levers may be of equal lengths but with butt engaging portions at different distances from one end so that the same disposition 7 is achieved. ,When the cams are in the nature of slide bars with butt engaging extremities the cams may be arranged in oifset or stepped relation so as to achieve the desired oblique disposition of the series of operative portions.

The selective action of the selector plates, levers r cams, as the casemay be, may be controlled by a pattern controlling unit or device of any appropriate conventional type, such for example as a drum, chain, endless jacquard band or equivalent, with circumferential rows of teeth, sequential divisions or zones of pins, pegs, cam bits or like projections, or holes prearranged or preformed according to patterning requirements, either continuously revolved or equivalently operated, or operated intermittently in one direction, first one way and then the other, as determined by the pattern to be produced.

In the specific example illustrated, the said pattern controlling unit is designated generally by the reference numeral 35 and, as will be seen, comprises a plurality of rows of teeth 3'l--one row for each selector plate 5. The unit is maintained constantly in an active position in relation to the selector plates and is rotatable so that the rows of teeth are caused to act respectively on different plates in order selectively to hold them in the inner position tov which they are caused to move by the rotary operating member E i for the purpose of effecting corresponding selection of jacks 4, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. Each row of teeth 3? is conveniently provided by a peripherally notched or gapped thin circular plate, disc or ring 38 (hereinafter for convenience referred to merely as a disc) While the discs may be initially notched or gapped peripherally in accordance with pattern requirements, it is sometimes found more convenient, as shown in Figure 3, to make peripheral cuts 35 of the required pitch and subsequently to break away-predetermined teeth in order to obtain the required toothed formation. A gap between teeth is indicated at 43 in Figure 3. The discs 38 are mounted in axially spaced relation upon a circular carrier ll formed with a hollow spindle M which is rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing 43 formed on or carried by a fixed bracket M bolted, for example, to the underside of the top plate i3 aforesaid. The said discs, moreover, are located in position in any suitable manner and may be separated by means of spacing rings or equivalent members of appropriate thickness. In any event, and whatever construction is adopted, the discs are conveniently clamped in position on the carrier M by means of bolts 43. These bolts extend right through a clamping member 45, the discs and the carrier. The controlling unit 36 is adapted to be rotated intermittently in one direction or the otheraccording to patterning requirements, and the timing of the parts is such that whenever the unit is moving, the selector plates 6 are in their inner position, i. e. clear of the discs 38, whereas each time a group of jack butts is passing the said plates and the latter are permitted to move outwards as hereinbefore explained, movement of the unit is arrested. Whenever the unit stops, however, a selector plate will move outwards under the spring action only if a gap it in the corresponding disc 38 is presented to the projection I! on the plate; in these circumstances the projection moves into the gap and the outward movement of the plate is uninterrupted. On the other hand, if no gap is presented to the projection l'l, then, of course,

the selector plate remains held in its innermost position by'the corresponding disc 38, so that the butt engaging nose or projection 'l on said plate will act on a jack 4 to effect selection thereof.

To enable the unit 36 to be rotated a worm Wheel 41 is rigidly attached, e. g. by means of screws such as 48, to the lower end of the spindle 42 and there is provided for co-operation with the worm wheel a worm 49 which has a spindle 5t rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing or bearings on the bracket 44. The construction is therefore such that whenever the spindle 55 is rotated in one direction or the other, the rotary motion thereof is transmitted through the worm gearing to the spindle 42 thereby causing corresponding rotation of the pattern controlling unit 36. Limited or controlled pattern widths can be obtained by moving the said unit intermittently a given number of times per cylinder revolution either in one direction or the other, or in both directions. In the specific example shown the unit is adapted to be rotated sometimes in one and sometimes in the other direction and in this connection the means for effecting rotation of the spindle 50 to the required extent or extents in the appropriate direction are obtained by means of a mechanism now to be described and resembling somewhat a Geneva motion. In fact a suitably arranged Geneva motion of conventional form may, in some instances, be employed for the intended purpose.

The said mechanism is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 2 and includes a wheel 5! furnished all around its periphery with radially projecting teeth or, as shown, with movable elements 52 each constituting the equivalent of a tooth. This wheel is mounted so. as to rotate with and yet be capable of axial sliding movement on the spindle 50 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. Conveniently in this respect the wheel is formed with a longitudinal groove 53 for reception of a key or feather 5 fitted in the spindle 50. For action upon the elements 52 there is provided a series of blade-like elements or bits 55 which are mounted in vertical grooves in a rotary drum or carrier 56 arranged concentrically with respect to the central axis of the machine and adapted to be continuously rotated always in the same direction by or from the main driving bevel 51. The blade-like elements or bits 55 are spaced as closely together as is practicable and each blade or bit is furnished with a projecting portion 55a adapted as and when required to act on and thereby push one of the elements 52 in the wheel 5i. Consequently, as the drum or carrier 55 rotates, the projecting portions of the blade-like elements or bits 55 act on the elements 52 and effect intermittent rotation of the wheel 5| and hence also of the pattern controlling unit--through the medium of the worm gearing. Now, for all practical purposes it is difiicult to employ a wheel similar to 5! but formed with solid teeth; as will be readily appreciated, if such a wheel was employed a blade-like element or bit 55 would tend to act on a tooth earlier than was desirable and in this way the timing of the mechanism would be adversely affected. It is with a view to overcoming this difiiculty that it is preferred to provide in the wheel a series of movable elementssuch as that indicated at 52-which can normally be held out of the path of the projecting portions 55a of the blade-like elements or bits but which can be projected seriatim and at each of the correct cations into the path of said projecting portions. Thus, in the specific example illustrated, each of the elements 52 is accommodated in a radially disposed notch or groove 58 formed in the wheel 5! and is so formed and mounted as to enable it to rock from a normal inoperative position in which a tooth-like projection 52a thereon is clear of the projecting portions 55a aforesaid to a position in which, as shown in Figure 2, the said tooth-like projection is so disposed as to be acted upon by the projecting portion of the approaching blade-like element orbit 55. The elements 52 are conveniently normally held with their tooth-like projections clear of the blade-1ike elements or bits by means of a circular spring 59 or the equivalent arranged as shown and are adapted to be projected seriatim by a cam member, e. g. a ring, 60 formed with cam portions, or any other suitable means appropriately disposed and mounted. As will be understood, the cam member 68 acts on the ends of the elements 52 remote from the tooth-like projections 52a to project the latter outwardly from the periphery of the wheel 5!. Instead of providing pivotal elements of the character just described, however, it is within the scope of the invention to. provide for the same purpose slidably mounted elements adapted to be projected radially outwards at the appropriate locations by cam means arranged within the wheel 5! or in some other suitable position for action upon the inner ends of the elements. In any event the blade-like elements or bits 55 are furnished with two series of projecting portions 55a disposed respectively at different levels and the projecting portions of one series extending radially outwards further than those of the other series. Thus, one of the projecting portions 550. indicated in Figure 2, is disposed at a level C, Whilst the other projecting portion is disposed at a lower level D. Moreover, and as will be seen, the projecting portions of the upper series are nearer to the axis of the machine than are the projecting portions of the lower series. When the wheel 54 occupies the position shown, the elements 52 are disposed for action on the upper series of projecting portions 55a and so long as it remains in this position the said Wheel will consequently be intermittently rotated in an anti-clockwise direction (as viewed from the outside of the machine). If, however, the wheel 5! is caused to slide to a slight extent axially on the spindle 5B (in a direction towards the worm 59) the elements 52 can be disposed for action on the lower series of the aforesaid projecting portions so that the wheel 5! will be intermittently rotated in the opposite, i. e. clockwise, direction. This particular construction therefore necessitates projection of the elements 52 seriatim at two locations and the cam or other means for effecting such projections are designed accordingly. Thus, by appropriately arranging the blade-like elements or bits 55 in the drum or carrier at and suitably moving the wheel 5| axially one way or the other on the spindle 5, the pattern controlling unit 36 can be intermittently rotated in one direction at predetermined times and in the opposite direction at other times, according to requirements.

For moving the wheel 5| axially in the manner described there is conveniently provided a bell-crank 6! which is pivotally mounted at 52 upon the bracket 44 and has the outer end of one arm 5 ia thereof formed or otherwise adapted for engagement with a circumferential groove or recess provided in the said wheel. The outer end' of the arm 6| b of the bell-crank is formed for engagement with a cam portion 63 formed on a ring 64 which surrounds the top plate [3 and is controlled automatically from a pattern chain or any other suitable controlling mechanism. The bell-crank 6! is spring-controlled, e. g. by a tension spring 6 5 arranged as shown, and is movable at appropriate times by the cam portion 63 from the position indicatedin dot-and-dash lines to the full line position against the spring action. Conversely, when the said cam portion is removed from action on the arm Gib of the bellcrank, the latter and hence also the wheel 5i is returned by the spring 65 to such a position as to bring the elements 52 into commission for action thereupon by the projecting portions 55a at the level D. These means are therefore in the nature of a bluffing mechanism for use in initiating a change in the direction of movement of the pattern controlling unit.

Alternatively, the desired axial movements of the wheel 5| may be obtained in a more direct manner by or from a pattern chain or other timing mechanism furnished with appropriately formed lugs or the like adapted for action either on the wheel or upon cam or any other suitable means directly associated therewith. Or the wheel 5i can be fixed, so far as axial movement thereof is concerned, in which instance suitable provision may be made for movement of the blade-like elements or bits 55 radially, so as to position the appropriate series of projecting portions 55a for action upon the elements 52. By means of the patterning mechanism so far described a pattern can be repeated or not, as may be desired, and according to the arrangement of the blade-like elements or bits in the drum or carrier 55. In the mechanism just described, moreover, there are only two circumferential series of projecting portions 55a. This, however, represents the simplest form of the mechanism. If it is desired to increase the patterning scope of the mechanism and enable patterns to be placed on a garment wherever desired, then two, three or even more series of projecting portions may be provided at the level C and a corresponding number of series of said portions at the level D. In these circumstances provision must be made either for shifting the wheel 5! axially to correspondingly different extents or for moving the blade-like elements or bits 55 to diiferent positions radially. In such arrangements the layout of the projecting portions in each circumferential series may, of course, vary. A plurality of series of such portions may, for instance, be provided by forming each of the blade-like elements or bits 55 with a right-angular extension appropriately notched or gapped to form thereon the desired projections.

In lieu of the wheel 5| with its elements 52 and cooperating blade-like elements or bits 55 for effecting rotation of the pattern controlling unit 36, there may, if desired, be provided a pawl and ratchet mechanism (not shown). Such mechanism, if provided, may conveniently include a ratchet wheel which is secured to the controlling unit and operated, i. e. racked round, in one direction or the other by one of a pair of pawls or clawkers operated by or from the rotary operating member 24' aforesaid. For example, the pawls or clawkers may be continuously operated together by a cam formation on the said operating member and bluifing mechanism of any suitable character and operated automatically, e. g. from the ring 54, may be pro 7 in a diiferent manner from others.

division per revolution of the machine.

depth of the pa ttern will depend on the number vided to bluff one or the other pawls and clawkers and thereby determine in which direction the pattern controlling unit is rotated. The pawl and ratchet mechanism may, however, be of any other suitable construction to achieve the required movements of the controlling unit 36.

In the constructional form of the invention illustrated, the action of the selector plates 6 upon the jacks t is a selective one for the purpose of causing certain of the jacks to function in a different manner to the others. The jacks .are projected outwards radially as they approach the series of selector plates, and those jacks which pass a plate the projection ll on which has entered a gap in the corresponding disc 38 remain in their outwardly projected position, while those passing a plate which is held in its inner position by the corresponding disc of the pattern controlling unit are thereby pressed inwards much in the same way as in the patterning mechanism described in prior Specification No. 1,889,631. In this manner there is a selection of the jacks which enables some of them to function For example, the jacks which are not pressed inwards may engage with a cam 66 (Figures 2 and 5) and be thereby actuated to cause the corresponding needles 3 to clear, while the needles of those jacks which are pressed inwards remain at a low" level and either miss yarn or tuck. The jacks may be projected outwards by cam or other means. The outward projection of the jacks may be effected by giving them a canting movement. It is convenient to employ jacks having an upper extremity ta of hooked formation, the hook ends engaging a cam 61 (Figure 5) suitably positioned and shaped to move the jacks radially outwards prior to selection. The cam 66 may act upon the hooked ends of the jacks, as shown in Figure 2, or upon a butt or other suitable part.

To enable a jack tobe readily pressed into its groove or trick 2 by a selector plate 6, the butt engaging nose or projection i on the latter is bevelled, as indicated at I in Figure 3, to provide an inclined surface up or along which a jack operating butt 5 can ride.

The pattern controlling unit 36 can be moved once per revolution or any number of times per revolution according to the pattern desired. As

previously mentioned, the number of jacks 4 in each group B has no relation to the width of the pattern produced. The grouping is adapted and arranged solely to give the necessary time for the pattern controlling unit to operate so i that one patterning division or zone follows another into the selecting position while a gap between adjacent groups of butts 5 is presented to the selector plates, levers or cams.

Patterns of maximum width are produced if the pattern controlling unit is moved continuously at a constant speed in one direction either by direct gearing or some intermittent form of movement, whereas limited or controlled pattern ..widths can be obtained by moving the pattern controlling unit intermittently a given number of times per cylinder revolution either in one direction or in the opposite direction.

Examples of limited width patterns using 24 jacks in each group B wherein the butts 5 of the jacks occupy 24 different levels in succession are as follows:

Width of patternone needle to 24 needles The pattern controlling unit will be moved one The of divisions or zones on or in the unit,

Width of pattemone needle to 48 needles The pattern controlling unit will oscillate: 1st revolutionbetween divisions 1 and 2. 2nd revolutionbetween divisions 3 and 4. 3rd revolutionbetween divisions 5 and 6, and so on until the full extent of the unit has been used.' The depth of the pattern will be half the number of divisions or zones on or in the unit.

Width of patternerie needle to 72 needles The pattern controlling unit will oscillate: lst revolutionbetween divisions 1, 2 and 3. 2nd revolution-between divisions 4, 5 and 6. 3rd revolutionbetween divisions 7, 8 and 9, and so'onuntilthe' full extent of said unit has been used. The depthof the pattern will be one third the number of divisions or zones on or in the unit.

It will be seen from the above quoted examples that patterns of any width can be produced, and with a givenci'rcumferential or equivalent extent controlling unit, as the pattern width increases so the pattern depth decreases.

It will alsobe observed that all forms of pattern now known, such as geometric patterning, vertical effects, as well as full jacquard effects, can be produced with this mechanism by operating the pattern controlling unit to suit the needs of the pattern.

In a single feeder circular knitting machine there may be butone set or bank of selecting plates, cams or levers and associated parts. A multiple feeder machine may have as many sets of plates, levers or cams and associated parts as feeders, or any desiredlesser number.

Two or more sets of selecting plates, levers or cams arranged for selective action respectively, or two or more consecutive groups of jacks or other selectively operated elements simultaneously under the control of a common pattern controlling-unit, e. g. at the same patterning division or zone, may be provided, in which case the said unit may be operated sothat changes in the operative (selective) arrangement of the plates, levers or cams are effected after action upon one plurality of groups and before action upon the 'next, 1. e. when the appropriate spaces are presented to the plates, levers or cams.

It will be understood that when the invention is carried into practice in a manner involving selective operation by the plates, levers or cams upon elements, other than needles or jacks, the operation of the patterning mechanism will be generally similar to thathereinbefore described with reference to jacks.

As will be understood, the angular or oblique disposition of the series of butts may vary but, in all cases, care must be taken to ensure that the formation of the operating member 24 is such that the selector plates 6 are withdrawn or moved outwards each time a series of butts is passing the bank of plates.

What we claim then is:

1. In a knitting machine wherein selectively operated elements arranged in a bed are to be controlled for patterning by means of patterning formations of a patterning mechanism, an arrangement according to which selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon are arranged in said bed so as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, the said butt engaging formations are disposed so that their operative portions correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups .of butts, and means are provided for operating the patterning mechanism in such a way that when a fresh selection of selectively operated elements is required, a change in the patterning formations for action on said elements is made while a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to the patterning mechanism.

2. In a knitting machine wherein selectively operated elements are arranged in a bed and are to be controlled for patterning bymeans of a bank of selector members adapted for action selectively thereupon, an arrangement according to which selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon are arranged in said bed so as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, butt engaging portions of the. said selector members are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, and there is provided a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector members andmeans for operating the said unit in such a way that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required the necessary change is effected while a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to said members.

3; In a knitting machine, in. combination, a bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in diiferent positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, a bank of selector members for action selectively upon the said selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, a pattern controlling uriit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector members and means for operating the said controlling unit in such a way that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required the necessary change is eifected while a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to said members.

4. In a knitting machine, in combination, a

'bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in diiferent positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, 'a bank of selector members for action selectively upon the said selectively operated elements and furnished respectively With operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector members and means for moving the said controlling unit intermittently in one direction and similarly in the other direction, according to the demands of the pattern to be produced, the operation of the unit being such that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required, the necessary change is effected While a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to said members.

5. Ina circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, a series of independent slidable needles in said cylinder, a series of jacks associated with the needles, said jacks being lector members, and means for operating the said.

controlling unitin such a way that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required, the necessary change is effected while a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to.

said iembers.

6. In a knitting machine, in combination, a bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in difierent positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, a bank of selector members containing as many members as there are selectively operated elements in a group, said selector members being provided for selective action upon the selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with butt engaging portions disposed in olfset relation so as to correspond with the oblique dis-.

position of the groups of butts, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon. the said bank of elector members and means for operating the said controlling unit in such a way that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required, the necessary change is effected while a space between consecutivegroups of butts is presented to said members.

8. In a knitting machine, in combination, a bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, guiding means, a bank of selector members individually movable in said guiding means towards and away from the said bed, said selector members being provided for selective action upon the selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, means for moving the selector members so that their butt engaging portions are projected into the spaces between consecutive groups of. butts, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector members, and means for operating the said controlling unit in such a way that whenever a fresh selection of the selector members is required the necessary change is effected at such time as the said butt engaging portions are located in one of said spaces.

8. In a knitting machine, the combination, a bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, guiding means, a bank of selector members individually movable in said guiding means towards and away from the said bed, said selector members being provided for selective action upon the. selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, and also with projections, a rotary operating member for effecting movement of the selector members towards the bed so that the butt engaging portions of said members are projected into the spaces between consecutive groups of butts, said rotary operating member having thereon formations for action upon the aforesaid projections, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector members, and means for operating the said controlling unit in such a way that whenever a fresh selection of the selector members is required the necessary change is effected at such time as the said butt engaging portions are located in one of said spaces.

9. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, guiding means, a bank of selector members individually movable in said guiding means towards and away from the said bed, said selector members being provided for selective action upon the selectively operated elements .and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, and also with projections, a rotary operating member for effecting :movement of the selector members towards the bed so that the butt engaging portions of said members are projected into the spaces between consecutive groups of butts, said rotary operating member having thereon formations for action upon the aforesaid projections, means for driving the operating member continuously in timed relation with the rotational motion of the machine, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector members, and means for operating the said controlling unit in such a way that whenever a fresh selection of the selector members is required the necessary change is efiected at such time as the said butt engaging portions are located in one of said spaces.

10. In a knitting machine, in combination, a bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, guiding means, a bank of selector members individually movable in said guiding means towards and away from the said bed, said selector members being provided for selective action upon the selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, means for moving the selector members so that their butt engaging portions are projected into the spaces between consecutive groups of butts, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector members, and means for operating the said controlling unit, said means functioning to move the unit only at such times as the selector members are positioned with their butt engaging extremities in a space between adjacent groups of butts and to arrest the movement of said unit each time a group of butts is disposed in register with the aforesaid butt engaging extremities, whereby when a fresh selection of the selector members is required the necessary change is effected only at such a time as the butt engaging extremities are located in one of said spaces.

11. In a knitting machine, in combination, a bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, guiding means, a bank of selector members individually movablein said guiding.

meanstowards and away from the bed, said selector members being provided for selective action upon the selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, a rotary operating members for effecting movement of the selector members towards the bed so that the butt engaging portions of said members are projected into the spaces between consecutive groups of butts, means acting in opposition to the said rotary operating member to move selector members away from the bed as and when required, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector members, and means for operating the said controlling unit, said last mentioned means functioning to move the unit only at such times as the selector members are positioned with their butt engaging portions in a space between adjacent groups of butts and to arrest the movement of said unit each time a group of butts is disposed in register with the aforesaid butt engaging portions, and the arrangement being such that when it is stationary the unit prevents predetermined selector members from moving away from the aforesaid bed, thereby effecting a selection of the selector members and in turn causing certain of the selectively operated elements to function differently from the others.

12. In a knitting machine, in combination, a bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, a bank of selector members for action selectively upon the said selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts,a pattern controlling unit comprising a plurality of rows of teeth, one row for each selector member, and means for operating said controlling unit so that rows of teeth are caused to act respectively on different selector members to exercise selective control over the latter and in such a way that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required the necessary change is effected while a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to said members.

13. In a knitting machine, in combination, a bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, a bank of selector members for action selectively upon the said selectively operated ele ments and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively diaposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, a rotary pattern controlling unit comprising a plurality of peripherally notched circular discs, one for each selector member, and a rotatable carrier upon which said discs are mounted in axially spaced relation, and means for operating said controlling unit so that the discs are caused to exercise selective control over the selector members and in such a way that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required the necessary change is eifected while a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to said members.

34. In a knitting machine, in combination, a bed, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the bed as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups butts, a bank of selector members for action selectively upon the said selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector members and means for moving the said controlling unit intermittently in one direction and similarly in the other direction, accord ing to the demands of the pattern to be produced, said means comprising a wheel which is connected to the controlling unit and a series of elements appropriately set out for operating said wheel according to the movements required and the operation of the unit being such that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required, the necessary change is effected while a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to said members.

15. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a cylinder, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the cylinder as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, a bank of selector members for action selectively upon the said selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector members, a wheel for driving the said controlling zunit intermittently in one direction and also in the other direction, according to the demands of the pattern to be produced, a series of tooth-like elements arranged around the periphery of said wheel, drive transmitting means between the wheel and the pattern controlling unit, a drum arranged adjacent to the wheel, means for rotating said drum in timed relation with the rotational motion of the machine, and a series of elements appropriately arranged in said drum for action upon the elements on the wheel for effecting intermittent rotation of the latter and hence also of the patterning controlling unit, the operation of said unit being such that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required, the necessary change is efiected while a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to said members.

16. In a circular knitting machine, patterning mechanism according to claim 15, wherein for action on the said wheel there is provided a circumferential series of blade-like elements appropriately set out and arranged within a drum which is disposed concentrically with respect to the axis of the machine and adapted to be continuously rotated always in the same direction in time with the rotational motion of the machine.

17. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a cylinder, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the cylinder as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, a bank of selector members for action selectively upon the said selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector numbers, a wheel for driving the said controlling unit intermittently in one direction and also in the other direction, according to the demands of the pattern to be produced, a series of tooth-like elements arranged around the periphery of said wheel, drive transmitting means between the wheel and the pattern controlling unit, a drum arranged adjacent to the wheel, means for rotating said drum in timed relation with the rotational motion of the machine, blade-like elements appropriately arranged in said drum for action upon the elements on the Wheel, said blade-like elements being furnished with circular series of projections disposed respectively at two different levels and occupying respectively diiierent positions radially with respect to the axis or" said drum, the projections serving to operate the wheel and turn it in one direction or the other according as to whether projections at one or the other level act upon the wheel, and means for effecting relative movement between the said Wheel and the blade-like elements to enable the required circular series of projections to act upon the wheel, the operation of the pattern controlling unit being such that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required, the necessary change is effected while a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to said members.

18. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a cylinder, selectively operated elements respectively with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon, said elements being so arranged in the cylinder as to provide obliquely disposed parallel groups of butts, a bank of selector members for action selectively upon the said selectively operated elements and furnished respectively with operative butt engaging portions which are collectively disposed obliquely to correspond with the oblique disposition of the groups of butts, a pattern controlling unit with predetermined patterning formations for action selectively upon the said bank of selector membore, a wheel for driving the said controlling unit intermittently in one direction and also in the other direction, according to the demands of the pattern to be produced, a series of toothlike elements arranged around the periphery of said wheel, drive transmitting means between the wheel and the pattern controlling unit, a drum arranged adjacent to the wheel, means for rotating said drum in timed relation with the rotational motion of the machine, a series of elements appropriately arranged in said drum for action upon the elements on the wheel for effecting intermittent rotation of the latter and hence also of the patterning controlling unit, the operation of said unit being such that when a fresh selection of the selector members is required, the necessary change is efiected while a space between consecutive groups of butts is presented to said members, means for normally holding the aforesaid tooth-like elements with their operative extremities clear of the elements in the drum, and means for projecting the tooth-like elements seriatim into the path of the elements in the drum at the appropriate times, for the purpose herein set forth.

19. In a knitting machine wherein selectively operated elements arranged in a bed are to be controlled for patterning by means of patterning formations of a patterning mechanism, an

arrangement according to which selectively operated elements with butts in different positions lengthwise thereon are arranged in said bed so as to provide a plurality of groups of butts with spaces between them and means are provided for moving the aforesaid patterning formations so that all of said formations are brought into spaces between said groups of butts when fresh selections of the selectively operated elements are required, said butts being so disposed and the patterning mechanism so arranged and operable as to be adapted to produce patterns of any extent coursewise up to the total number of wales in the knitted fabric.

THOMAS CHARLES BROMLEY.

ARTHUR SHORTLAND. 

